Isaiah Thomas: Last but Definitely Not the Least
The Boston Celtics are title contenders once again for the first time since 2012, largely due to the contributions of their starting point guard who wasn’t even meant to be here, based on his size and draft stock.
“With the 60th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Isaiah Thomas from the University of Washington.”
When those words are said about an individual coming into the NBA, you’re not expected to amount to much. Especially not an MVP candidate, nor leader and starting point guard of the team with the second best record in the Eastern Conference.
You’re not supposed to average 30 points and six assists, with a nickname like Mr. Fourth Quarter because of your historic play in said period. You’re not supposed to take up a place in the hall of legends of the league’s most storied franchise.
You’re not supposed to do all these things. Especially when you’re only 5 foot 9 inches tall and weigh 185 pounds. No Isaiah Jamar Thomas, you’re not supposed to do all these things!
Now with the Boston Celtics, Thomas’ name was the last one called by then NBA Deputy Commissioner, Adam Silver in that year’s draft. Going by NBA history, that was pretty much the last time most of us were supposed to hear that name, except it was in reference to Isiah Thomas, the two-time NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons.
For some perspective, here are the names of guys picked 60th overall from 2006 – 2016 respectively: Will Blalock. Milovan Rakovic. Semih Erden. Robert Dozier. Dwayne Collins. Isaiah Thomas. Robert Sacre. Janis Timma. Cory Jefferson. Luka Mitrovic. Tyrone Wallace. How many of those names do you recognize?
As the diminutive All Star turned 28 on Tuesday, we reflect on the huge gift he has been to the Boston Celtics since a trade with the Phoenix Suns brought him to TD Garden in 2015. The only way has been up since his debut against the Los Angeles Lakers ended in a questionable ejection, endearing him to Boston fans as a true warrior. And he hasn’t disappointed since.
Thomas started in 37 of 65games his rookie season in Sacramento, averaging 11.5 points and 4.1 assists in 25.5 minutes per game, before establishing career highs of 20.3 points and 6.1 assists in his third NBA season, becoming the fifth player under 6 feet to average such numbers.
After a trade to the Suns prior to the 2014/15 season, Thomas was the odd man out in a three-pronged point guard attack featuring Eric Bledsoe and co-2011 draft alum, Brandon Knight, which opened up the way for his journey to Boston. The rest is history.
After First Round exits in the last two Playoffs, things are looking good for the Celtics with their current second place standing behind the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
With Thomas leading the charge, supported by four time All Star Al Horford, defensive stalwart Avery Bradley and the vastly improved Jae Crowder; alongside a healthy collection of role players, a Conference Finals run isn’t off the cards for the Celtics. As rumors abound, a key trade might even take them further but who knows?
What we do know is that the Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, 60th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft is a superstar and an MVP candidate. Just ask LeBron James and Celtics icon Paul Pierce.
What we also know is that 13 point guards were picked ahead of him in his draft class, so we say thank you to those GMs that passed on him because he may not have ended up in Boston if he’d gone any higher.
Thomas appears to have found a home in Boston and he’s doing really good. We can’t say the same for all the other point guards picked ahead of him though.
Kyrie Irving, 1st Overall, Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA champion (2016)
- 4× NBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (2014)
- All-NBA Third Team (2015)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2012)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
- Olympic Gold Medalist (2016)
- FIBA World Champion (2014)
- FIBA World Cup MVP (2014)
Brandon Knight, 8th Overall, Detroit Pistons (currently with Phoenix Suns)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
Kemba Walker, 9th Overall, Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets)
- NBA All-Star (2017)
Jimmer Fredette, 10th Overall, Milwaukee Bucks (currently with Shanghai Sharks)
Nolan Smith, 21st Overall, Portland Trailblazers (currently Assistant Coach at Duke)
Reggie Jackson, 24th Overall, Oklahoma City Thunder (currently with Detroit Pistons)
Norris Cole, 28th Overall, Chicago Bulls (currently with Shandong Golden Stars)
- 2× NBA champion (2012, 2013) with Miami Heat
Cory Joseph, 29th Overall, San Antonio Spurs (currently with Toronto Raptors)
- NBA champion (2014) with San Antonio